Prenatal Vitamins

I've been lurking for a few weeks. I've found a few posts about other women getting sick from their prenatal vitamins and the suggestions they received. So far those solutions haven't helped me (i.e. take it at night, take it with OJ, take it with a meal, etc.).

A little bit of background. I'm 13 weeks along currently. Even before we started trying for a baby, I was prescribed a 2-pill prenatal. One pill (AM) is Omega-3 plus a little bit of other vitamins and minerals. The second pill (PM) is iron plus a heavier dose of other vitamins. My OB at the time told me to not bother doing the AM/PM dosage and just take them together.

I did that with no issue until about week 10 of my pregnancy. That's when the iron pill started making me sick. My first thought was to do the AM/PM thing. That went ok for about a week and now it seems no matter when I take the iron pill, I can't keep it down.

My MFS said don't bother even taking them if they make me sick. My normal OB freaked out at the mere thought of me not taking my prenatals. He loaded me up with about 5 different kinds of vitamins. They all have the same or higher amounts of iron. The ones I tested I can't keep them down, either.

I suffer from restless leg syndrome, so it's pretty obvious when my iron levels are lower than my body would like. Every night I struggle to sleep because one or both legs are twitching. I don't have a history of anemia but I'm tired all of the time, and my anemic mother is concerned.

I'm not sure what else to do. My doctors are givng me conflicting advice. I'm tired of getting sick. Is this a phase I just have to get through? It's far worse than m/s ever made me feel.

 

alright so this sounds like it wouldnt work in a million years but it did for me... try tums when you start to get nauseous. its the only thing that kept that iron pill from coming up an hour later.

 

A friend of mine was told to take Flintstone vitamins when every other vitamin made her sick. I'm not sure of the amt of iron in those so you could supplement with an OTC iron pill. You and your babies DO need sufficient iron when you're pg.

I hope you feel better soon. I know how my friend felt and it was horrible for her

 

kittenkills, I'll try that tonight and see how it goes!

WaterGuzzler, I looked into Flintstones. One is about half of my prenatal's iron. I wonder if I can space them out or something. I'll add it to the list to try!

Thanks!

 

A quick way to tell if your anemic is to splay your palm out. If the creases are dark pink or purple, than your probably not anemic. I've felt tired throughout my pregnancy, but haven't been low on iron, just growing two babies. Also, vitamin C helps your body to absorb iron.

 

I hate them and they hate me, its the only time I got sick is when I took them, I do Flintsones vitamins and an extra folic acid!

 

I have the same issue... Right now I am taking 2 Flintstones and extra Folic Acid... I have just now started feeling "ok" as far as nausea, etc... so I am holding off on adding my iron... My OB won't be happy, but I'll try it before I see him next in 3 weeks...just not yet!

 

I had a hard time taking the regular prenatals until i was about 18 weeks along. Thats when I switched to a stonger one. In the meantime my doctor prescribed THESE they also include someting for quesy/upset stomach so it really helped me. Have you tried those?

 

Thanks for all of the suggestions!

Right now I seem to be doing well with the Tums+Prenatal. The last time my DH picked up my vitamins, he had to get them from a different pharm than normal. They put different "notes" on the box, specifically that I should sit up for 30 min after taking them. I've started being sure I do that, too.

Should Tums stop working, my plan is to try the Flintstones.

azucena, I don't think I'm anemic. Palms splayed - I definitely have dark creases.

E&Msmom, my OB has me on PrimaCare, which is one of the vitamins listed. Were you on a another one? They have a few different kinds, so I could request samples of another.

 

I take the primacare one and haven't had any problems with it, I also take extra iron since my iron came back border line low last week.

But I did have to take the flintstones with my dd as the cheaper prenatals that my ob prescribed were making me super nauseated. I realize NOW that my 24/7 ~ 9 month morning sickness with my son was from the prenatals more than likely. Once I started the flintstones with my daughter I felt 100% better!!

 

Yep I took the premesis, they were blue. But once I got to 18 weeks I switched to one of the others on that line that had higher iron etc. But IMO, it doesnt matter how good the vitamin is if you cant get it down or keep it down so you have to do what works!

 

With my oldest I took Flinestones b/c I could not tolerate the other vitamins....even the thought of it now makes me queezy.

With the twins I took PrimeCare. They are super easy to swallow, and have a vanilla flavor to it. I never got nausious from it once. I did take them at night too, but never had that nasty after taste or anything.

 

my husband wakes me up when he gets home from work about 12am ish with a glass of milk and the vitamen
i have gaviscon and water next to our bed, 2 nights a week i think i have to take the gaviscon to settle everything

 

honestly my OB told me the most important part was the folic acid and the rest can come from food...I could only tolerate my prenatals every other night - more than that and I was nauseated...